The Wild Man Of Boston’s second and third albums on CD for the first time.
When Barrence Whitfield and the Savages came blasting out of Boston, Massachusetts in the early 1980s they brought the world exactly the kind of high-octane rhythm and blues (with a little rock’n’roll on the side, just for good measure) of which it was in desperate need. The impact of their all-action live shows was reinforced by a trio of albums that scythed through the sterility of a studio and served up a very close approximation of what you could expect from them on stage. They still do, for that matter.
After their initial onslaught, Barrence and the band took a 22-year break, reuniting after Ace had reissued their first independently produced album to great acclaim. It’s gratifying to know that we were instrumental in helping them get their groove back – and obviously to great effect, as they are still together and releasing great albums.
The guys are currently putting the finishing touches to a new one for release on Chicago’s Bloodshot Records. For now, though, we’re delighted to bring together on CD their first two albums for Rounder Records: “Dig Yourself” and “Call Of The Wild”, both first issued in the mid-1980s.
Barrence and the Savages still perform many of the songs featured on these two albums in their current live set, including Don Covay’s ‘Rockin’ The Mule Back In Kansas’ and their own ‘Stop Twisting My Arm’, ‘Big Mamou’, ‘Juicy Fruit’ and the ever-popular floor-filler ‘Bloody Mary’. Both albums still sound as vibrant and essential as they did when recorded more than 30 years ago. It’s worth noting that “Dig Yourself” has surprisingly never been released anywhere in the world on CD before, while “Call Of The Wild” is being reissued for the first time in its original running order.
If you are looking for some background listening, please do not buy this compact disc. Here are 17 songs that need to be listened to as loudly – and frequently – as possible. If your neighbours complain, ask them in, hand them a beer, turn it up even louder and invite them to “Dig Everything” about Barrence Whitfield and the Savages.
Tony Rounce
